On World Freedom Day, we celebrate the anniversary of the historic fall of
the Berlin Wall and honor the brave citizens of East and West Germany who
helped secure freedom and liberty for future generations.

The Berlin Wall stood as a barrier that isolated the victims of imperial
Communism and totalitarian power from the promise of the free world.
Standing in the presence of the wall, with an unshakable belief in the
power of liberty, President Ronald Reagan issued a resounding challenge on
behalf of the free and the unfree alike: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this
wall." On November 9, 1989, the citizens of East Germany finally triumphed
over their Communist oppressors, and the Berlin Wall came tumbling down.
As the hope of freedom spread, the Soviet empire collapsed, the Iron
Curtain was lifted, and Eastern and Central Europe were liberated from
decades of cruel tyranny.

The Cold War demonstrated once again that freedom is precious and cannot be
taken for granted, that evil is real and must be confronted, and that if
they are allowed to do so, harsh rulers will subjugate others in the name
of hateful ideologies. History has also proven that the transformative
power of liberty overcomes this oppression. Today, many former Communist
countries are using their sovereignty to aid the rise of other young
democracies and to shine the light of conscience on human rights abuses.
Our belief in the universality of freedom is challenged time and again, but
we continue to go forward with confidence that free nations will always
prevail over the enemies of liberty, peace, and justice.

On World Freedom Day, we are reminded that injustice overseas can threaten
our way of life at home, and we renew our commitment to helping those who
suffer under the weight of oppression.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2008, as World
Freedom Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this
day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, reaffirming our dedication
to freedom and democracy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-third.